Taxi drivers fear tariff changes could leave them worse off

Taxi drivers fear tariff changes could leave them worse off

Reporter:

Simon Meechan

10:25AM, Wednesday 30 July 2014

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Taxi drivers have complained that upcoming changes to the way they charge for journeys could leave them worse off.

In April, the Royal Borough's licensing panel approved the new tariffs, which will apply from August 18. In the day time metres will charge 20p for every 200 yards (183 metres) after the first 1066 yards of the journey.

Currently the increase is 21p per 220 yards.

It also includes a 20p charge for each 44 second waiting period. The previous charge was 21p for every 48 seconds.

Mohammed Yasin has submitted an objection on behalf of his fellow cabbies.

He says that over some distances the new tariff will leave drivers worse off than before. His calculations show that for a five mile journey the new fare will be £10.20 compared to £10.29 under the old scheme.

Mr Yasin has asked for the price change to be cancelled and replaced with a new scheme.

A report set to be heard by the licensing panel tomorrow night asks councillors to consider amending the new tariff.

It says: "If drivers' incomes drop there may well be a drop in the standard of vehicle as drivers will not be able to change vehicles so frequently and to keep maintenance standards."

However the same report concedes that changes would 'increase costs' to those using taxis.

The panel is due to consider another report which asks councillors to approve a guideline that at least 75 per cent of money taken in door-to-door charity collections is used directly for charitable causes.

The Mayor of Slough Cllr Arvind Dhaliwal meets family and friends. A family fun day is being held at IQRA Primary School in memory of Ayesha Farooq, 23. IQRA Primary School, Fernside, Wexham Rd, Slough